Media Room: Media Releases

Defence
MEDIA RELEASE

CPA 269/05 Monday, 31 October 2005

More than 500 Royal Australian Navy and Army personnel are on the move to Cowley Beach, north of Townsville, to participate in the Australian Defence Force’s amphibious training exercise, Exercise Sea Eagle.

The two week long exercise conducted from 31 October – 11 November 2005 is part of the ADF’s ongoing efforts to develop its amphibious capability for the defence of Australia and its interests.

Exercise Sea Eagle will involve HMA Ships Kanimbla, Tarakan and Betano, Amphibious Task Group planning staff from the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters (Maritime) and elements from the Townsville based 2^nd Royal Australian Regiment, 5^th Aviation Regiment and, 10 Force Support Battalion.

"The exercise will focus on the planning and conduct of amphibious operations leading to a planned amphibious activity in the Cowley Beach area", said the Commander of the Australian Amphibious Task Group, Captain Ray Griggs, RAN.

"Amphibious operations are amongst the most complex of the ADF’s joint capabilities and involves extremely detailed planning and coordination between all participants. Exercise Sea Eagle is an important part of the ADF’s annual amphibious training cycle and plays a vital part in maintaining our forces at the appropriate levels of readiness."

Exercise Sea Eagle will involve an amphibious work-up, consisting principally of embarking and disembarking troops, vehicles and equipment and tactically inserting from ship to shore using helicopters and landing craft. The main activity during the exercise will be a simulated evacuation of Australian citizens from Cowley Beach.

The ADF is aware of the sensitive environment in which the exercise will take place and the exercise has been planned, and will be conducted, within strict environmental, safety and risk management constraints.

Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999
Fax: 02 6265 6946
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